The German Foreign Minister called on Ukrainian men of draft age to return to Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful stated that Ukrainian men of draft age currently residing in Germany must return to their homeland. According to him, Berlin is ready to assist Kyiv in locating these citizens.
The German foreign minister noted that German authorities have information about Ukrainian citizens living in the country who are registered, receive social benefits, or hold residence permits.
“After all, we know who lives here—who, for example, receives social benefits, who is registered, and who has a residence permit,” Wadeful said.
According to him, Berlin is ready to share the relevant information with the Ukrainian side to help Kyiv identify men of draft age who are in Germany.
In addition to the issue of repatriating Ukrainian men, Johann Wadeful stated that Ukraine should purchase weapons more actively from German manufacturers.
The minister emphasized that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. At the same time, he said, Berlin expects greater participation by the German defense industry in Ukrainian procurement.
“But I also have to explain this to German taxpayers, and the least we can do is ensure the participation of the German defense industry in all procurements,” he said.
Wadeful also stated that Berlin is not satisfied with the current volume of Ukrainian orders in Germany.
“At the moment, we are not entirely satisfied with the volume of orders coming to Germany,” the minister noted.
Thus, Germany is simultaneously calling on Ukrainians of draft age to return to Ukraine and expecting German defense companies to be more actively involved in supplying weapons to Kyiv.
Wadeful made this statement in comments to journalists.
Earlier, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Ukrainian men of draft age currently in Poland must return to Ukraine. In his opinion, they should join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and take part in defending their country.
As a reminder, Poland has transferred five PAC-3 MSE anti-ballistic missiles to Ukraine for use with the Patriot air defense systems. Although the amount of aid turned out to be less than expected, Warsaw received assurances from the U.S. and NATO regarding the prompt replenishment of its own stockpiles in the event of a threat.
Ukraine aims to launch production of missiles for the Patriot systems under a U.S. license as soon as possible. However, according to Reuters, this process may begin not in Ukraine, but in one of the European countries.
